BRUSSELS – In a press release from today’s meeting, the Council of the European Union renewed its call on Bosnia and Herzegovina to proceed with government formation and start work without any further delay, in the interest of all citizens.
The Council recalled that effective implementation of reforms is necessary to advance on the EU path.
It also confirmed the EU’s readiness to continue the executive mandate of Operation Althea to support Bosnia and Herzegovina’s authorities to maintain the safe and secure environment, under a renewed UN mandate.
“The Council welcomes the continued presence of Operation Althea, which in the follow up of the Strategic Reviews 2017 and 2019 has refocused on its core mandate, while retaining the collective training as a task of the Operation”, reads the press release.
The Council stated that it looks forward to the presentation of the next Strategic Review in 2021 as a basis for discussion with Member States on EUFOR’s tasks and options for the future of the Operation.
At the same time, the EU continued to urge the authorities of BiH to accelerate their efforts in the disposal of ammunition, weapons and explosives surplus, as well as in demining.